Sen. Bonnie Westlin

Maddy summaryThis bill allocates $1,602,000 from the state's general fund in fiscal year 2027 to the Office of the Attorney General. The funding is specifically designated to hire six additional attorneys to support the office's legal operations. The legislation directly affects the state's legal department by providing resources for staff expansion. It is a straightforward funding measure that does not change existing laws or policies.

Maddy summarySF 3804 modifies Minnesota's data protection rules for property tax assessments, specifically clarifying that sensitive financial data (like income figures, vacancy rates, and lease information) classified as private under state law can still be accessed in legal proceedings. The bill requires Tax Court to issue protective orders preventing public disclosure or misuse of this data during tax disputes, ensuring it's only used for the specific legal case. It directly affects property owners (whose data is protected), Tax Court proceedings, and legal parties involved in property tax challenges. The key change removes barriers to using this data in court while adding safeguards to maintain confidentiality.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the state to issue up to $5 million in bonds to fund the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office Forensic Science Laboratory. The funds will be used to design and construct a new forensic facility in Minneapolis, serving as a regional state-of-the-art science center. The legislation directs the commissioner of public safety to provide a $5 million grant to Hennepin County for this project. It also requires the commissioner of management and budget to handle the bond sale process according to existing state laws. The bill takes effect immediately after final passage by the legislature.

Maddy summarySF 3894 modifies Minnesota law to restrict current legislators from taking jobs in lobbying-related fields after their term. It prohibits sitting lawmakers from accepting employment with businesses primarily engaged in lobbying, government relations, or facilitating such services, including roles involving direct or indirect consulting on these activities. The bill also covers public employers that use lobbyists, if the legislator's duties include lobbying or related work. These restrictions apply regardless of where the work is conducted and take effect January 1, 2027. The change aims to prevent conflicts of interest by limiting post-legislative employment opportunities tied to lobbying.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits nongovernmental organizations from mailing prefilled absentee ballot applications in Minnesota, affecting groups that distribute election materials to voters. It requires any entity sending these applications to include clear disclaimers stating the mailing is not an official government communication and that the application has not been requested by a government official. The law also mandates that the return address on the envelope must show the sender's name and street address, and it ensures that fields for joining the permanent absentee voter list remain blank for applicants to fill out themselves. Government entities and their employees remain exempt from these requirements when performing official election duties.

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals Minnesota's current law that prevents cities and counties from creating their own firearm regulations. It allows local governments to establish zoning rules for where firearm dealers can operate (e.g., location restrictions for stores), which they could not do under existing law. The bill specifically repeals sections of Minnesota Statutes that previously blocked local control over firearm sales locations and other firearm-related regulations. This change directly affects cities and counties, giving them new authority to address firearm safety concerns through local zoning decisions.

Maddy summarySF 3606 modifies Minnesota's administrative hearing process for human rights cases under Statute 363A.29. It requires the commissioner to decide within 30 days whether to forward a party's request for a hearing to the Court of Administrative Hearings, replacing the prior process. This change directly affects individuals or entities contesting human rights determinations by altering how hearing requests are routed and processed. The bill does not change substantive human rights protections or appeal procedures, only the administrative mechanics of initiating hearings.

Maddy summarySF 3903 would have required Minnesota's Department of Public Safety to provide race and ethnicity data to the judicial branch specifically for compiling jury source lists, modifying existing statutes (13.69 and 270B.14). The bill would have mandated that this data, along with basic personal details like name, date of birth, and address, be shared with courts to build jury pools. This bill was introduced on February 26, 2026, but withdrawn and returned to the author on March 4, 2026, so it did not become law.

Maddy summaryMinnesota's SF 3644 amends campaign finance disclosure rules to require state officials to report digital assets like cryptocurrency and NFTs valued over $10,000 in their economic interest statements. The bill adds "digital asset" to the definition (including stablecoins and NFTs) and mandates disclosure of ownership and transactions for these assets, similar to existing stock reporting requirements. This affects legislators, appointed officials, and other public officers who file annual economic interest statements. The changes take effect January 1, 2027, expanding transparency requirements for virtual assets in public financial disclosures.

Maddy summarySF 4065 amends Minnesota law to require the Minnesota State Patrol to provide security for the chief justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court, adding this position to the list of officials eligible for such protection. The bill appropriates $101,000 from the general fund for the 2027 fiscal year specifically for this purpose, with the amount becoming a permanent part of the Supreme Court's budget starting in 2028. This security would be arranged through consultation with the chief justice and is intended to provide ongoing safety measures, similar to protections already provided for other state officials like the governor.